Is there a difference between auto flywheel and manual flywheel starters ? I had my engine on a test stand, it had a auto flywheel on at the time, it started fine. Before installing engine in my car (68) I put a manual flywheel on, now starter gear slams into side of flywheel, no matter how much Ii shim it, it won't mesh with flywheel right. engine is a 73 Pontiac 350. Thanks-Gary

The 400 auto and the manual flywheels are the same diameter. The 350 auto transmission had a slightly smaller flywheel and used a different starter.

No difference, just may use different starter shims for clearance.

Steve

Gotcha Steve.

Sanford, cash that starter in and get another one, verified as correct for your set-up. Sounds like the starter shaft accuation is either the wrong length or the wrong tooth pattern. Is it a stock starter or mini-turbo racer mod?

It's a new rebuilt starter from Advance Auto. When they looked it up there was 2 different starters showing on the screen, the difference between the 2- one has a 1 inch spacer between the solenoid and prongs going into starter the other doesn't have a spacer. they didn't know if there is any other difference, I'm wondering if the starter without the spacer is the one I need for a manual trans flywheel.

OK The difference in the starters they looked up was one was a 'high torque' and the other was 'low torque'. That spacer is the difference in windings inside the starter. I would take the starter back and tell them you need a high torque starter for a Firebird with a manual trans. If it looks the same as the one you have use more shims.

I took the starter back that had a spacer, I couldn't get it to mesh with flywheel. I got the other starter without a spacer. it worked, mesh with the starter fine. only problem is, it won't turn engine over unless spark plugs are out. The starter without the spacer, is it the low torque version ? I got starter at Advance Auto. They can't tell me if there is a low torque and high torque . Don't know what else to do except maybe try my original starter again, maybe it was high torque and maybe it'll work if I shim it enough.

A good starter ought to be able to crank a cold 350. Do you have the timing advanced too much? What about charge level of the battery? If the timing isn't correct or the battery is too low to crank, you'll have problems. Not the best test, but a quick test you can make to check to see if timing is a problem is to disable the coil and crank the engine, of course with the spark plugs in place.

Also, are the terminals clean, meaning shining like chrome, not just clean of green jelly. I mention this because I have ran into so many issues where these things are the problem, and the person didn't ensure that these things are correct

On to the next step: Is the starter an ACDelco rebuild? Other-than-ACD rebuilds have their own formula as to where the armature is undercut. That spec can be any size they choose. ACD rebuilds have to meet GM's specs for minimum armature undercut. Advanced sells delco. They might not stock the parts, but they can get a lot of delco parts, and they could probally get a delco starter if you requested one.

Insist on a DELCO rebuild starter. I learned this the hard way. Pay a few extra bucks and be happy for years.

Are you sure it's meshing fine? It may need a few shims. It may be tight to the fly wheel. The starter with no spacer on the solenoid is the high torque. It should turn the engine with no problem.

I have the trans, bellhousing off so I can see exactly the gap between starter and flywheel. I have 3 thin shims in place right now.I have the gap slightly more so it's not tight. the battery I'm using is temporary, is a deep cycle, fully charged, with a charger set on high boost. it barely turns engine over.I'll try a battery out of my diesel truck. if it still doesn't turn over normally. I'll probably try a high torque Powermaster starter or similar. 200 ft pd tq. I've heard some bad things about Advance Auto parts, like alternators, water pumps, starters- I got a new water pump from them once that had a bent shaft. maybe I got a weak starter, The timing should be right on, it started while on engine stand easily. I'll get htis figured out soon.

You can't use a deep cycle battery! You will fry the starter right away. It has no where near the cranking amps needed. That's the problem. You can fry a starter in 2 minutes of cranking with a deep cycle battery.

Problem solved. did some research, found out like some membres said, there is no differnce in starter whether you have an auto flywheel or auto, don't know why I had some much trouble with first starter, sencond starter from Advance auto # P3695S high torque (no spacer) I had no trouble at all shimming, works perfect, starter barely turning engine over is result of using a deep cycle battery, Put a battery in out of my diesel truck and it turned right over and started. Thanks everyone.